I Went on a Digital Detox to Hawaii With My Family—This Chic Retreat Made Unplugging Feel Effortless
Fashion editor Judith Jones shares her experience of a digital detox with her family at the stunning Kona Village, a Rosewood Resort in Hawaii.
Welcome to Traveling With Kids, a chic travel series where we highlight some of the most stylish stays around the globe that are also family-friendly—from boutique hotels to luxury resorts. This is for the fashion-forward parent who wants to luxuriate in a beautiful stay and keep the kids entertained along the way.
There is an expression in Hawaii, aloha ʻāina—roughly translated as a deep "love of the land" that holds a strong cultural meaning for Hawaiians. Connection to the ʻāina (land or earth) is the foundation of native Hawaiian physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. In the digital world we live in, our attention is directed toward screens and mediated information. With ʻāina, the attention is directed toward physical place, senses, relationships, and reciprocity. During my recent trip to Hawaii, I've never felt more connected to the powerful rhythm of the ‘āina.
It's almost embarrassing to admit, but there's rarely been a day in the past decade where I've been fully disconnected from my devices. Social media is part of my job, as is working on my computer, and when I do disconnect after a day of work, scheduling, and looking after the kids, I'm usually zonked out in front of the TV. As someone who loves the outdoors (and is adamant to bring up my kids loving it too), I try my best to find a healthy balance between life plugged in and a life offline—not an easy feat in today's world but one I'm striving to be better at.
With a stressful August behind me, I decided it was time to give myself and my family a break from plugged-in life and take a pause from our devices, at least for a short week. And where better to do it than 2500 miles away in the middle of the Pacific Ocean? I.e., Hawaii. We decided on Kona Village, a Rosewood Resort, an iconic hideaway "rooted in joy" and nestled among ancient lava fields and what was once a fishing village on Hawaii's Big Island.
There are no TV screens at Kona Village—to stay at this idyllic haven is to truly reconnect with nature and yourself. And the retreat makes it effortless to do so. The place encourages you to completely step back and unwind. A few hours after arriving with the warmest welcome of kukui nut leis, hibiscus mocktails topped with orchids, and the warm tropical breeze on my skin, I immediately felt my shoulders relax, and the tightness and stress I had been holding in my body softened.
The resort is truly a slice of paradise, and every corner of Kona Village holds a breathtaking and beautiful view that relaxes, rejuvenates, and fills you with a sense of delight. Whether you're taking in the vibrant Pacific blues and cooling tropical breezes at Kahuwai Bay, cycling through the dramatic natural black lava rock that makes up the rich and rugged landscape, or enjoying a tranquil sunrise walk at the peaceful lagoon, the views, the nature, and the mana—that special Hawaiian joyful energy—enliven your spirits and reconnect you to yourself and surroundings.
One of my favorite spots to reconnect and relax? On the lanai (balcony) of my hale, the Hawaiian word for house and what they call the accommodations at the resort, which are made from all-natural materials and decorated with native Hawaiian artistry. With a view overlooking the ocean and the sound of the waves in the distance; lush, verdant plants surrounding the black lava rock; and the sweet scent of plumerias in the air, those still moments—with a cup of passion fruit tea in hand, a book in the other—were some of my most memorable.
The urge to pick up my phone and default to scrolling Instagram slowly diminished as I immersed myself in the many activities and moments of enjoyment the resort has to offer. We made special core memories together as a family, and there was not one request to look at my phone from the kids. (There's a first!) ‘Ohana, meaning family, defines the island, not only in a conventional sense but in a bigger, interconnected sense—guests, families, local fishermen, farmers, the land and sea—and you can really feel this sense of connection and harmony. After five days sans social media and devices (save for my camera app and Kindle), I emerged calmer, more mindful, and full of gratitude. Kona Village is truly magical—the kind of place you'll crave to come back to again and again.
Read on to see my highlights of the trip and the activities on offer.
Laid-back elegance is the vibe. Think chic swimsuits and cover-ups, effortless breezy dresses, vintage tropical prints, board shorts and tank tops, and flat, comfortable sandals to walk around the property.
Shop the Look
Подборка автора
Cara Cara
$425
Anita Berisha
Anita Berisha La Sirena Pendant
$430
Cara Cara
Cara Cara Pisa Floral Wide-Leg Pants
$525
ISMÊ SWIM
$43
STAUD
$250
ISMÊ SWIM
$43
Alémais
$490
Chloé
$445
Madewell
$168
COS
$39
chan luu
$175
Made Some Sportswear
Made Some Sportswear Short Shorts
$225
Cin Cin
Cin Cin Hotline Moonstone Dress
$292
Julietta
Julietta Exclusive Maddalena Necklace
$300
L'Agence
$209
Christopher Esber
Christopher Esber Jo Flip Flop Sandals
$300
Anthropologie
Anthropologie Celandine Ruffled Mini Dress
$98
Janessa Leone
Janessa Leone Felix Raffia Bucket Hat
$257
Rumored
$168
Tkees
$95
BTB Los Angeles
BTB Los Angeles Ornella Tote Bag
$218